It's summer and families are busy preparing for vacations, cookouts and days at the beach. Kids run wild with friends, enjoying the long, hot days building tree houses or playing in the neighborhood pool.

Our freedom to roam, build, play -- to perform any activity that you can think of -- comes courtesy of the Constitution of the United States of America, which was made possible by the 13 colonies' Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, adopted on July 4, 1776.

In celebration of the U.S. and her independence the last 231 years, we asked local youth ages 5 to 18 to write an essay explaining what freedom means to them. The following are their responses, in their own words.

Freedom was not just something given to my country. It was earned by sweat and blood.

Freedom is a word that should be a prize among Americans. It means that every American, in the states, can automatically know that today is going to be a good day because there is not a war in their own backyard. Freedom is knowing that no matter what is going on in the world, I can be confident that I am safe.

I take pride in knowing that I live in America and have freedom. I hope that every American feels that way, too.

Elizabeth Fogle, 17

Independence Day celebrates the birthday of the United States of America. Founded July 4, 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The 4th of July is a time for the colors red, white and blue. Also a time for family gatherings, picnics, parades and fireworks. What does freedom mean to me? Freedom means the right to choose for yourself and to create the alternatives of your own choice.

Kayla Garrett, 14

What does freedom mean to me? Before I tell you what freedom means to me, let me first give you the meaning of the word freedom. According to the dictionary, freedom means the condition of being free of restraints. Freedom can have a different meaning to different people according to their condition and place in life. Freedom to me means that I can be anything that I want to be. I can also travel anywhere I want to and nobody can take advantage of me. I can speak up for what is right and what is wrong. This (is) what freedom means to me!

Jasmine Jenkins, 10

Freedom is to have the choice to do whatever you want to do. Freedom means to be able to vote, to live anywhere you want to, the right to stay in a hotel and the right to have friends of any color. Freedom means having the right to go to any school, the opportunity to go to any college, and get any job. Freedom means that black and white people can be together. A long time ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and others marched for freedom. Rosa Parks sat in the front of the bus for freedom. When I see a flag, or a soldier, I think of freedom. Freedom means liberty and justice for all. That is what freedom means to me.

Jackie Robinson Booker Jr., 7

When I think about freedom, I think about what people had to go through in order for me to be free today. The word slavery comes to my mind. The name Harriet Tubman, and the famous railroad that she used to help slaves to freedom is a symbol of what freedom is. Being free is a great thing to me. I could not imagine not being able to ride my bike at any time, or not being able to attend school. There are still a lot of countries in this world where the people are not free. In this country, my parents can vote in every election to choose the person that they feel is the best person for the job, and not be afraid. We can get an education, buy houses, cars and get married to anyone they wish. Freedom means living in the United States and really being free.

Zachary Felder, 7

Some local children are excited about the holiday because of its celebrations. Here's what they have to say about July 4:

The 4th of July is the flag's birthday. It is the 4th of July in America. The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. The 4th of July is a special holiday. I like the 4th of July because we have fireworks.

Carlen Chapman, 8

The 4th of July is a time to celebrate America. I think the 4th of July means to celebrate our country's flag and soldiers. On the 4th of July we have a fireworks show. The 4th of July is my most favorite time of the year. Me, my mom, and dad have a big 4th of July dinner. This is what the 4th of July means to me.

Morgan Clark, 9

Fourth of July is a day when people all across the state celebrate America. A lot of children do crafts for this holiday. Some people do fireworks at night.

Bailey Hogan, 9

The 4th of July is a time that we celebrate our country. This is the day that we celebrate the country's birthday. On 4th of July George Washington help(ed) us (fight) for America. What I think 4th of July means is to celebrate the flag and the soldiers. Now we eat out. Now we see fireworks. Now that is how America was made on the 4th of July.

Jordyn Jenkins, 8

The Fourth of July I think means to celebrate our flags and to celebrate our Uncle Sam. It also means to gather with family and watch the fireworks! I think we should also sing with our friends and family.

Maggie Robertson, 10

The 4th of July means to me is that it is a very special time of the year that families celebrate and there's fireworks. My family has fireworks and we go somewhere to eat.

P.S. Have Fun

Summer Thompson, 9

* A special thanks goes to the First Baptist Child Development Center and Felton Laboratory School.

T&D Features Editor Wendy Jeffcoat Crider can be reached by e-mail at wjeffcoat@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5546. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

Fun stuff for July 4th

Tired of playing baseball, throwing horseshoes or going fishing in the hot, humid Carolina air during your family's Fourth of July picnic? Looking for something to do indoors that won't take up too much time and will give you a break from the summer rays?

Then raid your craft supply closet, or take a quick trip to the store, to transform these craft ideas into your own works of art.

There are dozens of other craft ideas on the Web. Just search July 4th crafts and see what you can find! For more craft ideas, see page 6C.

A tribute to 'Old Glory'

Make a scaled-down version of the American flag using craft sticks, red and white paint, blue construction paper, white or clear glitter and glue.

Paint three regular-size craft sticks white and four red and let them dry.

Alternating red and white, glue the sticks to one larger craft stick on the right side and two half craft sticks in the middle and on the left side (use old newspaper to keep glue from spilling on your work table).

Place small dots of glue on a small rectangle of blue construction paper and sprinkle with the glitter.

Glue the construction paper, star-side up, to the corner of the striped craft sticks.

Adapted from www.enchantedlearning.com.

Things that go BOOM

You don't need fire and explosives to make a festive fireworks display! All you need is a bottle of glue, a few toothpicks, black or dark blue construction paper and lots of colorful glitter.

On a protected surface, use the glue to draw thin lines on the construction paper, resembling firework bursts, or squeeze a "glob" of glue on the paper and spread with toothpicks. Sprinkle glitter on the glue. Voila -- fireworks!

Adapted from www.enchantedlearning.com.

Just chillin'

These are absolutely perfect for the Fourth! July can be one of the hottest months in South Carolina. Cool off with a homemade fan.

Gather two pieces of 8x8-inch card stock, or other heavy paper, and some stickers, glue and glitter, paint pens, markers ( I tried those temporary tattoos) to decorate each side for the patriotic holiday. Let your imagination run wild.

Fit the two pieces of card stock together (decorations facing out, after they have completely dried) with a pair of jumbo craft sticks glued together in the middle. You can also use a small paint stirrer. Glue about a third of the way up between the two, and glue each corner together so the pieces of paper don't flap. Enjoy your handiwork!

Adapted from jas.familyfun.go.com.

Fourth of July facts and celebrations

* 1776:

The first newspaper in the colonies to print the Declaration of Independence was the Pennsylvania Evening Post on July 6. The Pennsylvania Gazette followed by publishing the document on July 10, beating the Maryland Gazette by a day.

On July 8, John Nixon read the declaration in public at Independence Square in Philadelphia, Pa. On the same day, the document was read publicly in Trenton.

Those living in New York had to wait until July 10 to hear the declaration read to them.

By the end of July 18, citizens of Boston and Portsmouth, N.H., had a chance to hear the declaration read.

In Williamsburg, Va., the declaration was read no less than three times on July 25.

A public reading was held in Baltimore on July 29.

The public reading was held in Annapolis on Aug. 17.

* 1777:

A Captain Thomson invited Portsmouth, N.H., citizens to join him and the crew for lunch onboard a Continental Navy frigate.

When Quakers in Philadelphia refused to close their businesses on days which celebrated victories by the Continental armed forces, angry citizens broke the windows in the Quakers' homes.

The Rev. William Gordon, of Boston, preached the first sermon about Independence Day before the Massachusetts General Court.

* 1778:

While in Brunswick, N.J., Gen. George Washington issued orders for his troops to decorate their hats with "green boughs" to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Additionally, the general issued a double allowance of rum and ordered an artillery salute for the celebration.

Residents in Princeton, N.J., were treated to an artillery salute from a cannon captured from Burgoyne's army.

Those living in Philadelphia celebrated July 4 with guns and fireworks.

Meanwhile in Passy, France, two representatives from the U.S., Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, hosted a dinner for their fellow countrymen and women who were living near Paris.

In Charleston, one of the first July 4 speeches was given by David Ramsay.

George Rogers Clark rings a bell after he and his Revolutionary War troops capture the British-held Kaskaskia Island, Ill., without firing a shot.

American POWs being held at Mill Prison near Plymouth, England, fabricated American flags and attached them to their hats on July 4. They wore the hats all day.

* 1779:

For the first time, the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, and the celebrations are postponed until Monday.

* 1781:

The Massachusetts Legislature is the first to officially declare the Fourth of July a state holiday.

In Newport, R.I., French officers are dinner guests of the military on July 4.

* 1782:

Regimental officers in the Continental Army remember the Fourth of July with toasts and a "volley of Musquets at the end of each" toast in Saratoga N.Y.

* 1783:

On June 18, North Carolina Governor Alexander Martin was the first state executive to issue an order for celebrating July 4.

Boston, on March 25, was the first municipal governing to officially recognize July 4 as a holiday.

The Governor of South Carolina hosted a party at the State House in Charleston. During the celebration, 13 toasts were offered, and artillery weapons, firing 13 times, accompanied the last toast, and a band played for 13 minutes.

* 1786:

When using guns, accidents will happen. The courthouse in Beaufort, N.C., caught fire and burned down after it was struck by an artillery shell that went off its trajectory during the Fourth of July celebration.

* 1788:

By 1788, July 4th celebrations had taken on political overtures with the discussion over the ratification of the Constitution. In Albany, N.Y., those for and those against the Constitution fought.

The Fourth of July celebrations were moving west. James Varnum gave the first speech west of the Allegheny mountains in Marietta, Ohio, then known as the northwestern territory.

* 1791:

George Washington delivered his only Fourth of July speech to a gathering at Lancaster, Pa.

* 1795:

In Alexandria, Va., the first mock battle, including infantry, cavalry and artillery forces, was held to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

* 1798:

Washington recalls the Fourth of July at the Alexandria celebration and dines with citizens and officers from Fairfax County.

* 1800:

Advertisements for fireworks first appeared in New York.

The U.S. Marine Band, under the direction of Col. William Ward, gives a Fourth of July concert in Philadelphia.

A student at Dartmouth College, Daniel Webster, delivered his first July 4 speech in Hanover, N.H.

* 1801:

For the first time, the White House is opened for a public reception on July 4.

In Boston, the U.S.S. Constitution and the U.S.S. Boston, both frigates, and the Berceau, a French corvette, fire their guns in celebration of Independence Day.

* 1906:

In many towns across the U.S., a 46-gun salute is fired in the belief that Oklahoma is the 46th state admitted to the Union.

* 1912:

"Formally and officially endowed," the Stars and Stripes now contains 48 stars.

* 1945:

With a 48-gun salute, Old Glory is raised over the Adolf Hitler barracks in Berlin, Germany.

* 1959:

President Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks at the U.S. Capitol and places the third cornerstone in the 166-year history of the building.

* 1960:

The present-day flag with its 50 stars is unfurled as Hawaii achieves statehood.

You must be logged in to comment.